<p>I am a rising senior and I was really excited about the NASA INSPIRE program and completed the necessary information and essay on its website. The only thing disqualifying me is the fact that my school sent in the transcript late, after the June 30th deadline. I had requested the transcript from my school registrar 3 weeks before the deadline and also reminded her a few days before June 30th, emphasizing the transcript’s importance. She had assured me that it would be sent out by June 30th, but NASA said it wasn’t postmarked until July 3rd. I’m disappointed that my school could not meet the deadline with that much advance notice. </p>
<ol>
<li>How would you feel in this situation?<br></li>
<li>Is NASA INSPIRE a significant program to list on my college application?</li>
<li>Is there any hope for my application?</li>
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<ol>
<li> I would be p***ed.</li>
<li> I think the internship would be great on your college app.</li>
<li> I would see if there is a way to contact someone at NASA regarding the application (which I realize can be difficult with government programs) and let them know that you did request the transcript several weeks in advance, reminded the school also, and you had been assured it would be mailed in time. However, apparently the school did not meeting the mailing deadline. (I wouldn’t ‘blame’, just tell them those facts – the blame is apparent without going on about it. If you talk to them in person, try to keep the blame/strong emotions out of your voice – a professional demeanor is good). Tell them that you are very interested in INSPIRE, and that you hope this won’t cause them to reject your application. That is about all I can think of…</li>
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<p>yea i would write a letter maybe to the school or call them up and ask about why it was sent in late. you could tell them thanks for completing it but tell them that the tardiness disqualified you for the program.</p>
<p>This will be my third year in INSPIRE assuming I get in. It’s a great program. Sorry to hear your transcript was late. I think the app deadline is pretty hard and fast unless the glitch is INSPIRE’s fault. They extended in the past at least once because a lot of kids called to say they couldn’t get their transcripts in on time. That was an app for summer experiences that was due around winter break though, not this one. </p>
<p>I know they have a record number of apps to consider and the deadline is really long gone now. 12 days ago. so you’re pretty late. </p>
<p>I don’t know if just being in the program is a big resume builder on its own, but the projects you can choose to do once you’re in it can certainly be helpful. And of course once you’re in you can compete for the summer internships. Those are gems but getting them is very competetive, even once you’re in INSPIRE. I got one last year but not this year.</p>
<p>UPDATE:
I left a message with Ms. Barnes at the NASA INSPIRE office yesterday saying that “I had a few questions,” and received a reply in the evening (that was unexpected). Ms. Barnes said that everything had been received and my application will go into the selection pool. I’m feeling much better now. Thanks for the help, guys!</p>
<p>Confirmation for the on line community usually comes near the end of the summer. Cmoney, I had the same problem as you did, except it was for the summer STEM experience. As you can see, they’re pretty understanding about transcript problems and whatnot. As for your questions, I pretty much agree with griffen. The Online Learning Community (OLC) is not exactly a great resume builder, but it depends on how much you take from the program. The great thing about the program is that it creates these opportunities to work with teenagers enthusiastic about science/tech/engineering/math, and be able to understand what it’s like to be in one of these fields. Also, the summer STEM experiences are awesome. If there was anything that would get attention on a college application, it would be the internships and the summer experiences. Unfortunately, the results of acceptance into the internship comes in the spring, too late to put on a college application.</p>
<p>looking back through my emails I see that last year I received notice of acceptance into the INSPIRE OLC on Sept 29. I have seen no news yet about when they’ll announce this year’s decisions.</p>
<p>Thanks, I did read the minimums on the website, but was asking for the grades needed to actually be accepted. Is it just a matter of having the minimum or above and then everyone gets accepted or is it very competitive and hard to get into?</p>
<p>From my personal experience, the INSPIRE OLC is not very selective. As long as you meet the criteria (GPA and others) and write decent responses, you should get in. INSPIRE is looking more to spread an interest in the STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) fields to as many high schoolers as possible rather than trying to find the “best” students.</p>
<p>Furthermore, GPA does not seem to play a particularly important role in the application of the Summer STEM experiences. As a Residential intern at Ames this year and as a part of the collegiate experience at SDSMT last year, I’ve found that you don’t need the highest GPA in the school to get into the summer programs. Of course, some of the students I have met these past two summers have been top of their class, but it does not seem to be a majority of students.</p>
<p>It was awesome! I couldn’t have asked for anything more productive to do over the summer. However, not all centers are going to give a great learning experience. I can’t remember right now which center this was, but the interns working there were doing menial tasks like decorating CD covers and installing Windows 7 in all the computers. But don’t let that discourage you from applying! The other centers all are working on pretty cool stuff.</p>